Royals Home Opener 2011 at the K in Kansas City

Oh, say, can you see...all of the awesome new BARS that
we put in!  Don't watch the game - get drunk!

The Kansas City Royals held their Home Opener for their 2011 Season Today at the K
by Kansas City News

Well, once again it's time for adult "ditch day" at the K.  Thousands of Kansas Citians thought up good excuses to take personal days to head out to the old ballpark to watch our pathetic Royals take the field with the equivalent of minor league players at best.  The Kansas City Royals were promptly pummeled by The Los Angeles Angles 4-2.  We decided not to go this year because last year's home opener just had too many negative experiences including the hilarious bathroom situation (two urinals, 2 stalls), and the nearly impossible task of obtaining a friggin' beer.

Former Royals player Mike Sweeney was on hand to throw out the first pitch today and recalled his playing days with The Royals:


“Believe it or not, I was thrown in as a defensive replacement. They thought I was a pretty good catcher back then,” Sweeney recalled. “Paul Molitor hit a chopper down the third-base line and I threw a ball up the first-base line and made an error. And I got fined in Kangaroo Court for having more Major League errors than hits.”  At that point, Sweeney turned to his young son, Michael, and asked him if he wanted to be a Major League player. “Yes,” the boy replied.  Sweeney said, despite the error, his first game was special. “It was all you dream of and more,” he said.

It's not surprising to anyone that the Kansas City Royals are one of the worst teams in baseball.  The entire TEAM in Kansas City makes just under what ONE PLAYER makes for the Yankees.  The Royals entire salary total for 2011 = $36.1 Million.  Alex Rodriguez will make $32 Million in 2011.

When asked about this seriously lopsided salary situation Royals general manager Dayton Moore said “I’m not worried that it’s too low, I look at it as something that gives us tremendous flexibility going forward as an organization to be competitive as we negotiate for players.”  Yeah, OK, whatever.  I think the Royal's money goes into the same sort of pot that the Chiefs money goes into - right back into the owners pocket.  Neither the Royals nor the Chiefs have any plans to spend any serious money on players in the future, why do you think that they turned both stadiums into virtual BARS.

Royals Season Starts Today

The Kansas City Royals' 2011 season officially begins this afternoon against the Los Angeles Angels. It is opening day at the K, where players and fans alike can look forward to the promise a new season brings.

Kansas City has a new opening day starter after Cy Young winner Zack Greinke was traded to the Brewers this offseason. Luke Hochevar gets the start for the Royals, and Kansas City fans never know what to expect from its former first-overall draft pick. Hochevar is as up and down as they come, but many feel he could be poised to finally break out and live up to his draft status and contract.

Recently, Kansas City turned heads as the Royals' minor league system was rated as the best in league history by Baseball America. Most fans feel this season will be another disaster in terms of wins and losses, and I would agree. The Royals are at least a year away from being able to compete for the division, but it should be fun watching the team grow.

Painter Will Stay at Purdue, Mizzou's Search Goes On

Matt Painter was in an enviable position yesterday. He had two big time athletic programs basically bidding for his services. The day ended with him staying put at his alma mater with a sweet half a million dollar raise and eight more years on his contract.

This after a full court press from Missouri Athletic Director Mike Alden, who flew to Florida to meet with Painter who was vacationing there. The Missouri AD reportedly offered north of $2 million/year, but ultimately Painter wanted to stay at the school he played at, Purdue University.

Missouri fans were all a "twitter" yesterday as a report came out of St Louis that Painter would be accepting Missouri's offer. After news that he would stay at Purdue was announced, Mizzou fans felt that familiar punched in the gut feeling. With years of athletic disappointments in the past, most Mizzou fans, I'm sure, could feel it coming. I know I did. Alden went from hero to zero on Mizzou message board Tigerboard.

Mike Alden, the search goes on. There are still good candidates available, two of which are in this year's Final Four - VCU coach Shaka Smart, and Butler Coach Brad Stevens. Anything less than a Home Run hire could be trouble for Mike Alden - I don't think fans will stand for an unproven mid major coach this time around. I would also suggest to Mr Alden to do everything in his power to keep information out of the hands of the media. That can blow a potential deal in a heartbeat.

Kansas City Kansas School District Will Layoff More Workers

Financial woes continue for Kansas School Districts in the wake of more state budget cuts to education. The Kansas City, KS School District will layoff more employees starting next week.

Superintendent Cynthia Lane told Board members at a special meeting that the district would have to cut $6.7 million for the 2011-12 academic year. At budget meetings in the past, the Board and Superintendent had pledged not to cut teacher jobs. They made no such promise this time around. Possible cuts would include smaller class sizes (laying off teachers), reductions in busing, Driver's education elimination, and pay cuts for remaining workers. The district may face further budget problems because of reduced valuation of property in the district that leads to lower actual tax revenue. That could force another $2 million in cuts.

Similar budget problems have been faced throughout the state, including a much publicized district downsizing in the Shawnee Mission School District. These are the truths of the times we live in. We all have to suck it up and tighten the belt until better times are upon us. Many industries have cut back as we know, and now it's time for Governments and School Districts to do the same.

Purdue Coach Matt Painter Meets with Missouri

It has now been made official that Purdue coach Matt Painter is meeting with Missouri's athletic department to discuss the open mens' basketball coach vacancy. Painter was expected to have met with Missouri officials sometime yesterday in Florida, where his family is currently on vacation.

In response to this news, Purdue is now issuing statements that they will do everything in their power to keep Painter. One would think it wouldn't be that hard. Painter is from Indiana, played at Purdue under legendary coach Gene Keady, and is already in his dream job. Why exactly would he want to leave?

The simple answer is money. Painter feels like he isn't being given enough for his services as well as the necessary resources to hire good assistants. Painter currently makes about 1.3 million a year in base salary, and Missouri is thought to be offering a seven year deal worth $14 million.

Overall, this feels like a reach on Mizzou's part. Most insiders expect Painter to stay if Purdue's counter offer is good enough, and I would agree. Painter is likely using Missouri to get a better offer from Purdue, and so far it appears this is working. Credit Missouri Athletic Director Mike Alden for going after the best possible candidate (and trying to avoid another Quin Snyder hire), but it appears Painter might be too hard to get.